'I wasn't going to stop until I found her:' Mother of critically missing girl found safe raises questions about her disappearance

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After her 14-year-old critically missing daughter was found safe in Milwaukee, a mother from Southern Illinois is raising questions about the circumstances that lead to her disappearance and discovery. 

Officials say Olivia Hanson went missing around 8:30 p.m. April 17, from the area of 88th and Vienna. Her mother, Virginia Attaway, spoke with CBS 58 as she made her way to Wisconsin to hand out flyers in hope that someone would find her daughter. 

Police say Hanson was found in the early morning hours on May 1. Attaway said she was found on Wisconsin Street in rough condition, but she's now safe. 

“I think the power of a mother's love just drove me until I found her," Attaway said on Sunday after returning to Southern Illinois. "I can breathe again knowing she is safe."

Hanson had come to Lad Lake from Southern Illinois to begin treatment for mental health issues. Attaway says she was informed of her daughter's disappearance through those in the Illinois court system.

Attaway said she questions how her daughter was able to make her way out of the care of Lad Lake staff. 

“She started to have a lot of behavior issues and difficulties processing things so that’s why I thought this treatment facility would be a safe place for her," Attaway said. 

Attaway said it took 8 days for police to eventually classify her as critically missing. 

“Why did it take us coming down to Milwaukee for people to even know there was a little girl missing?" Attaway questioned.

In a statement sent to CBS 58, Lad Lake says, in part:

“We are actively cooperating with authorities and doing everything we can to assist in efforts to locate her safely. Lad Lake is a treatment program—not a secure facility—where youth are supported in open, restorative environments intended to rebuild trust, foster resilience, and reclaim hope. We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting survivors and working closely with families, law enforcement, and community partners to ensure every young person has the opportunity to heal, thrive, and live free from exploitation."

CBS 58 has reached out to Milwaukee police for further comment on this case. We have not heard back as of Sunday evening. 

Attaway said she plans to eventually start a non-profit in honor of her daughter in response to this situation. She did not provide further details about where she was discovered as she says police continue to investigate and legal action may follow. 

“I wasn’t going to stop until I found her," Attaway said. "It is remarkable to know we came to a city with half a million people, and we were able to find one person. It was breathtaking.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7232.